In-Box Review

introduction

After producing a series of German Army Signals Auxiliaries figures, Aurora Models released two figures representing German Air Signals Auxiliaries. The figures can be displayed alone or can be parts of Luftwaffe related vignettes or dioramas.

about the figures

During the World War II, German female auxiliaries served in all branches of Armed forces. Like the auxillaries in Army and Navy, Air force female personnel were absorbed into the tri-service Wehrmachthelferinnen in 1944 and they served in different categories like air raid warning, air craft reporting, anti-aircraft and air signals.

Air Signals Auxiliaries - Luftnachrichtenhelferinnen was established in 1941 and most of the personnel were transfered from Auxillary Aircraft Reporting Service - Flugmeldedienst. These women were employed in communication centers as telephonists,radio operators, cipher personnel , teletype and teleprinter operators.

uniforms

Both of the figures wear the basic service uniform of German Air Signals Auxiliaries. The uniform was consisted of a jacket, skirt, blouse,necktie and cap, which had to paid for from the auxiliary’s own civilian clothing ration coupons.

Uniform jacket was a single breasted garment tailored in blue-gray wool with 3 large plastic buttons in front. It had 2 internal pockets on both sides with rectangular non-buttoned external flaps. A Luftwaffe style flying national eagle and swastika emblem,machine embroidered in silver-grey thread on blue-grey background was worn above the right breast. Inside the jacket, they wore a light blue cotton blouse with long sleeves which ended with buttoned cuffs. The collar was worn buttoned up and with a black male type necktie. Unlike the regular Luftwaffe shirts worn by male personnel,the Luftwaffe emblem was embroidered on the right breast of blouse because the female auxiliaries were dressing off the jackets when working to move more comfortable in offices and communication posts. A small brooch of Luftwaffe emblem named civil badge was also worn sticked on necktie.

Knee-length skirt was from blue-grey wool with two front pleats and they wore black silk stocking and black lace-up shoes. They were also provided with a leather handbag with a long strap hanged especially on the left shoulder.

Headgear worn by the Luftwaffe female auxiliaries was very similar to the Luftwaffe Fliegermütze sidecap worn by regular personnel. It differed principally on the omission of the national cockade from the front of the flap, the national emblem was displayed on the front of the crown part of cap. From November 1940, golden-brown or copper color piping - the branch color of Luftwaffe signals personnel - was worn around the edge of the flap.

Ranking was represented with chevrons as in Army Auxiliaries and in addition to these chevrons worn on the upper left sleeve, leadership ranks (Führerin and above) wore embroidered silver pip on the edges of the collar. Besides rank insignia, braid rings worn on the both cuffs were used to donate authority as the sleeve stripes in company first sergeants of Armed Forces.

Packing

Aurora Model figures come in 12x7 cm transparent zip-lock bags with a company label stapled on the top of the bag. Inside the bag; there are 2 small paper sheets ; one with the information about the figure in Japanese and English, the other with a painted photo which can be used as a painting guide. It is noted on the information sheet that the metal of the figures contains lead.

Figure parts are secured in another plastic bag.

Figures

Both of the figures are sculpted by Kiyushi Tsuda aka SOLO and cast in white metal. The cast is good but there are some visible vertical seamlines to clean and some excess metal on handbag . A fast cleanwork with a X-acto knife and sanding will be needed. Slightly brushing the figures with an old toothbrush in a mild detergent and water will make them ready to prime.

ML-025 German Air Signals Auxiliaries

The figure represents a Luftwaffe helferin standing and carrying her jacket on right arm. The figure is made up of 3 parts.

Torso with head and right upper arm : Facial details, hair, side cap and necktie are quite well represented.

Lower body with right lower arm : Right hand,right lower arm holding the jacket and jacket are cast on this part. It shows nice cloth folds and makes a good dry-fit to the upper right arm.

Lef t arm with hand bag : Cloth folds on the arm and handbag are well defined but the strap looks thick when compared to the size of the bag.

ML-026 German Air Signals Auxiliaries ver.2

The figure represents a Luftwaffe helferin on the airfield, protecting her ears from engine noise closing with her hands. The figure is made up of 6 parts ; 5 metal parts and a plastic part.

Upper body with head : I found the face too cuddly than it should be. Other than that, the facial details, hair, sidecap, uniform details like pockets, cloth folds, buttons and necktie are well represented. The upper part of the handbag strap is cast on the left shoulder of this part.

Skirt with two legs : It makes a good fit to the upper part.

Right arm : Posed to cover her right ear.

Left arm : Posed to cover her left ear.

Handbag : A small part of the strap is cast on this part.It needs some care to assembly.

Back part of the handbag strap : Given as a thin plasticard strip.

References

The following books can be useful when painting these figures.

Osprey Publishing – Men at Arms 393 - World War II German Women’s Auxiliary Services

Osprey Publishing – Men at Arms 100 - Women at War 1939-45

Conclusion

Sculpting, posing and casting of the figures are quite good. Displaying them as single figures depends on the painters choice . On the other side; they are nice and unique figures to display with large scale aircraft models or to use in World War II German Airfield section dioramas or vignettes with German Pilots or Luftwaffe personnel .

Recommended

SUMMARY

Highs: Nice subject, accuracy on uniform details, ease on assembly with less parts.Lows: A few seamlines to clean. Strap of handbag looks thick.Verdict: Nice figures for Luftwaffe related modelling.

Born in 1962,married and having 2 sons. I started modelling about 8 years old building USS Fletcher with mom. It was a model dad brought from USA., I think in those days only a few people in Turkey had info on scale model kits. Grown as an AF officer son , I built many aircraft models in years. Som...